About Human Hair Growth
The average human head contains over 100,000 hair follicles, with many more spread around the body. Each follicle cycles between activity and inactivity in a fashion that scientists are only beginning to understand. Hair insulates body heat, retains essential oils and--if cared for--can be used to attract other human beings. As people age, their hair growth decreases naturally. The degree to which that occurs depends on genetics, nutrition and environmental factors.
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Significance
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Hair starts growing in infancy and never stops. Depending on age, genetics, gender and other environmental factors, hair grows in different places in different amounts and at different densities. As people grow older, their hair growth either decreases or ceases. Hair always continues to grow somewhere on the body, at all times of day and night. Strangely enough, hair even continues to grow for a short period of time after a person dies.
Identification
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Hair is a skinny filament made out of protein that grows directly through the skin from a root buried underneath it. The hair on the average human scalp grows a full six inches every year. Depending on the person, their level of nutrition and how they care for their hair, some of it falls out naturally and is replaced by new growths. Different hair follicles go through different stages of growth, constantly cycling.
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Misconceptions
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Many people are under the mistaken belief that cutting or shaving hair somehow alters the follicles to make it grow back faster. The only common practice that alters the growth of hair is plucking, which advances the plucked follicle to a dormant state for a short period of time before it cycles again. One reason that this belief persists is because the hair that grows back after plucking only appears thicker - it is in fact only the appearance of the tip of the new hair, which has greater thickness relative to the base.
Considerations
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Balding or severe hair loss in both men and women happens for both genetic and environmental reasons. Many surgeries and medications have hair loss as a side effect. Any sudden hair loss should be discussed with a doctor to determine the causes--it may be related to an adverse reaction to a drug or poor nutrition. Hormonal imbalance caused by aging or other factors can also cause hair loss or a reduction in hair growth.
Potential
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Hair growth problems can be treated with prescription drugs like Propecia or with over-the-counter treatments like Rogaine. Alternatively, many people use wigs or extensions to conceal hair loss. Both drugs work well for both male and female pattern baldness. For hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances, synthetic hormone treatments can help to repair the body's ability to grow hair.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Lamerie, Flickr
